Pondering with a Purpose - Winter Solstice

Thursday is here and it is the first day of my vacation - 12 days off of work - was supposed to be 11 days but I ended up taking an extra one! Being that its Thursday it's time to do a little "pondering" with Brenda from Fiction with a Purpose.

Her rules are really easy:

1. Grab the Pondering with a Purpose Badge (in her sidebar)
2. Look at the week's prompt
3. Post something on your blog that relates to the prompt - it can be a story, a poem, a picture -- anything you want it to be.
4. Go back here and add the URL from your post to the linky list on Brenda's.
5. Go check out the other bloggers who have added their links to the list.
6. AND most of all.... Have fun!

So this week the subject is:  Winter Solstice

I love reading Brenda's posts because it seems that our lives have gone in basically the same directions. Today however, our memories of the short winter days are somewhat different. When my kids were little I lived in town and my house was basically "Grand Central Station" for all the neighborhood kids which I didn't mind at all because I always knew where mine were and what they were doing. The main reason I moved to the country was because when the kids got to the high school years I basically had no privacy at all. I had 2 of my sons friends who were "dating" and their parents didn't approve so they would meet at my house. I tried to stop it but these kids were like my own - had grown up being at my house all the time. They would be there when I got home from work - and I HAD to work.

But that is another story. Back to the winter solstice - In the winter there was no "outdoor" playing and I would have all these kids in my house EVERY night. I think I fed at least two extra kids every night for about 6 years. Not that I minded but as any single mother knows, sometimes it's tough making ends meet. But we made it through and although I sometimes felt that I was losing my sanity, it is now a good memory. They were all good kids. The boys would even have the snow shoveled from the drive to the house when I got home. Then they'd be in my son's room "building" something or making circles through the house with their cars and trucks. The girls spent time in the kitchen - but mostly in front of the mirror "fixing" their hair or trying on clothes. The house was never quiet. Unlike now - my house is VERY quiet and I really miss those years.

Patrice over at Everday Ruralty has a surprise for us today. We get to visit in her living room and see her beautiful tree and some of her ornaments. Go check it out!
Here are this week's questions:

1. Patrice asked today, " What is my favorite Christmas tradition?"

I would have to say just watching the kids open their presents is what I look forward to the most.


2." Patrice also wanted to know if we were ready for Christmas?"

I am - as ready as I am going to get.

3. Patrice also wanted to know what we would like to talk about if we were over at her house.

First, I would want to see Wendall and give him a carrot. I'd like to see the green houses and would love to watch her make one of those ornaments out of okra!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

  Wednesday! Time for hodgepodge over at Joyce's - From This Side of the Pond.

1. Are you cooking Christmas dinner? How many will be round your table this year? What are we having?

Just four at my house - daughter, sil, me and Biz. We are having meatballs (for sil), ham rollups (for daughter), turkey, green bean casserole, noodles (homemade), potatoes, and gravy of course. My plan is for none of us to be able to move after eating so much.

2. What is one must-have Christmas cookie in your house?

I like them all - anything with peanut butter and chocolate is my first choice.

3. Santa likes a glass of milk with his cookies. Do you? What kind of milk is on tap at your house-skim? almond? soy? full fat (Gasp!)

I don't like milk. I used to have to take notes to school saying I would not drink it.

4. Time magazine recently named their 'Person of the Year' for 2011. This is the person the editors believe had the greatest impact, for better or worse, in the past year. This year they chose 'The Protester'. Your thoughts? Who would you name Person of the Year for 2011?

I have to agree with the people that are naming the military. Their sacrifice is for all of us and our freedom.

5. December 21st is National Flashlight Day... when was the last time you needed a flashlight and did you know right where to find one?

 I use the flashlight a lot to look into dark cupboards and I know exactly where it is.

6. candy canes...yum or yuck?

Somewhere in the middle of yum and yuck - I can take them or leave them.

7. What Christmas carol lyric means the most to you?

Means the most? Probably Silent Night. Can't really think of any deep reason why but it just seems to really convey the true meaning of Christmas to me.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Today is my last day of work for 12 days and I almost didn't post today. I have so much to do before I leave here - day should go very fast.

Christmas Dress Challenge - Final

I was thinking last week was the final but I guess not.

Last week's wt.      158.6
This week's wt.      159.0
Difference               +.4


Starting wt.            170.0
Ending wt.             159.0
Difference               -11

In my defense -  I did have TWO Christmas parties last week so I don't think the .4 gain is terrible.

Follow Friday 4 Fill In

Welcome to the 41st  weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop!

Each week, Hilary over at Feeling Beechie lists four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs. This week’s the co-host is - Jen from What Would Jen Do.

Hilary would LOVE it if you could please help her spread the word about this hop…. So, please tweet, FaceBook share, and add the linky to your post…


This week’s statements:

1.       ____ is my ideal winter night.
2.       I don’t remember the last time I ___ but, I really want to.
3.       I will never turn down __________
4.      To save money I like to ____________

My Answers:

1.  Sitting in a warm house (preferably one heated with a woodstove) watching the snow come down outside is my ideal winter night.
2.  I don't remember the last time I drove around looking at Christmas lights but, I really want to.
3.  I will never turn down the chance to spend time with my kids.
4.  To save money I like to have a freezer full of vegetables from my garden, deer, beef and pork.